Abstract

There is increased use of RNFAs as assistants to surgeons in surgery. It is estimated that RNFAs comprise as many as 54% of the non-physician assistants who provide patient care during the surgical event in the operating room setting (Patterson, 2012). There are research studies that focus on transitions of graduates from nursing programs but a lack of research on transitions of RNFAs to the surgical environment following education.

This qualitative interpretive hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the lived experience of newly qualified RNFAs who have transitioned to the hospital operating room surgical setting. The purpose of the study was to understand and interpret the meanings of lived experiences has provided a better understanding of the transition between the phases of the newly qualified RNFA functioning within the role of the hospital operating room setting as first assistant. Individual interviews were conducted with twenty participants. Data was analyzed for identified themes using Colaizzi's seven-step process of thematic analysis. Four major themes and thirteen subthemes emerged from the thematic analysis of data. There were identified difficulties RNFAs encountered as well as positive experiences that were beneficial to the transition were shared. There were varying degrees of support and a great deal of effort needed to complete program requirements. The educational and clinical process was viewed overall as positive and worthwhile experience. There was a sense of pride in the achievement of the new role of RNFA. There were implications for nursing practice and education.

Description

This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 13424155; ProQuest document ID: 2166227543. The author still retains copyright.

Author Details

Susan Lynch, PhD, NEA-BC, CNOR, CNAMB, CSSM, RNFA

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Dissertation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Phenomenology

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Operating Rooms, Career Transitions, Newly Qualified Registered Nurses, Surgical Assistants

Advisor

Linda Carmen Copel

Second Advisor

Catherine Todd Magel

Degree

PhD

Degree Grantor

Villanova University

Degree Year

2018

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2022-03-21

Full Text of Presentation

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